Archives for November 12, 2012

H.E. Dr. Zahir Tanin, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations has been reappointed as Chairman of the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform.

In a letter sent on 9 November 2012, H.E. Mr. Vuk JeremiÄ‡, President of the 67th General Assembly appointed the Ambassador as chairman, thanked him for accepting the responsibility and requested that Member States â€œcontinue to extend full cooperation and support to his efforts.â€

Ambassador Tanin has chaired the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process since it began in the 63rd General Assembly, as mandated by a decision of the General Assembly. Since then, Ambassador Tanin has overseen eight rounds of negotiations. In his capacity as Chair, Ambassador Tanin produced a letter on 25 July 2012 which described the progress made thus far in the IGN, highlighted the increased interactivity between Member States in the eighth round exchanges, and made recommendations for the way forward.

In September 2012, as in the last four General Assembly sessions, Member States took a unanimous decision to continue the intergovernmental negotiations during the 67th General Assembly. The President of the General Assemblyâ€™s reappointment of Ambassador Tanin ensures that the process will have continuity and will retain the spirit of transparency and openness that has categorized the process thus far. Â Ambassador Tanin is also serving as a Vice President of the 67th General Assembly.